There are many credit card companies offering great benefits and rewards, especially for those traveling internationally. However, there isn’t a single credit card out there that towers over all the others. In other words, you have choices, and choices are always a good thing. So, how do you make that one choice?

Basically, it comes down to what you feel is best for you or your loved ones right now and what can help later down the road in terms of reward redemptions. Maybe it’s zero foreign transaction fees or low annual membership fees. Maybe it’s reward points and how easily you earn them. Maybe it’s cash back or deep discounts on purchases. To make the decision that favors your interests, let’s take a look at four different credit cards for international travel and what each brings to the table.

Capital One Venture Rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is one of the most popular cards out there, especially when it comes to travel. There are no foreign transaction fees. This applies not just to travel but purchasing anything internationally.

You don’t have to book travel through Capital One to use your miles for the purchase. Instead, you can purchase on any site and then redeem your miles once the charge comes through [1].

Capital One’s definition of travel is also broadly defined. It can mean the standard airfare, hotel, and rental car. But it can also apply to train travel, taxis, and cruises. In one word, the card can be described as “flexible” for a traveller.

In addition, the annual fee is cheap, at $95. You’ll also be rewarded with 60,000 points if you spend $3000 in the first three months after opening an account.

The biggest drawback is the high APR. The average APR is 16% – 24%, so plan ahead before running up those charges. Lastly, to be approved for this card, you have to have a high credit score, usually over 700, which would also explain the high APR. If you’ve got great credit, you can afford to pay off that balance, right?

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards

Okay, you don’t have good enough credit to get the Capital One Venture Rewards card. The good news is Capital One has another rewards card that is available for those with less-than-stellar credit. That card is the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards credit card.

Like the Venture card, this one has no foreign transaction fees. It also doesn’t have an annual fee but still allows you to earn 1.5% cash back on purchases.

Also similar to the Venture card, this one also carries a high APR, sitting at around 26% [2]. The good news here, though, is the higher rates should encourage you to keep your balance at a minimum, allowing you to build your credit through consistent payments.

Unlike other cards on this list, there are no reward points offered for spending a certain amount of money within the first few months of opening an account with this card. Instead, you actually have to put down a $200 security deposit to qualify as a sign of good faith.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is also at the top of the list of favorite credit cards among travellers. It, too, has a low annual fee of $95 that is easily offset by the reward you get back for using it. And like the other cards listed so far, it has zero foreign transaction fees.

With this card, you can get 5x rewards when travel is purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards [3]. You can also get 3x rewards on dining and 2x rewards on all other travel purchases. So, if you’re looking to rack up rewards points, this may be the card for you.

If you spend $4000 within the first three months of opening a Chase Sapphire Preferred account, you’ll be rewarded with 60,000 points, which can be redeemed at a cash value of $750 for travel. [4]

Like the other cards listed, though, this one also carries a steep APR, hovering at 25% [5]. You’ll also need around a 700 or higher credit score to qualify.

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express probably offers one of the best travel credit cards…for those who can afford it. That’s not to insult anyone. American Express makes it pretty clear that this particular card rewards travelers very well, but at a price.

The price referred to is the annual fee. At $695 per year, the Platinum Card is one of the most expensive cards one can take on. In addition, the card carries an APR from 16% – 23% and you will need around a 700 credit score or higher to qualify.

That all being said, the card, as mentioned, does bring some massive benefits with it. Upon opening an account, you can earn 100,000 points if you spend $6000 in the first six months. You also earn 10x points on eligible purchases at restaurants world wide, and 5x points on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel.

Conclusion

These four cards are some of the best credit cards for use internationally. That doesn’t mean that’s all of them. But they give you an idea of what’s out there.

Remember, you have choices.

sources

[1] https://wallethub.com/d/capital-one-venture-378c

[2] https://wallethub.com/d/capital-one-quicksilver-secured-credit-card-2033c

[3] https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/travel-pm/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NBDtraE1-best%20credit%20card%20for%20travel%20rewards-520898859117&utm_term=best%20credit%20card%20for%20travel%20rewards&utm_cmpid=11440295643&utm_adgid=117333941650&utm_tgtid=kwd-1481673094&utm_mt=e&utm_adid=520898859117&utm_dvc=c&utm_ntwk=g&utm_adpos=&utm_plcmnt=&utm_locphysid=9011671&utm_locintid=&utm_feeditemid=&utm_devicemdl=&utm_plcmnttgt=&utm_misc=&gclid=CjwKCAiAiKuOBhBQEiwAId_sK_BdbKb9VyIV9OI99gDsdLW9LTOkS5VZME7-lYWO9l2Puf8i-DjaKhoCIQ0QAvD_BwE

[4] https://wallethub.com/d/chase-sapphire-preferred-382c

[5] https://wallethub.com/d/chase-sapphire-preferred-382c